Why your potatoes have hollow centers—and how to fix it this season
Gardeners, take note: the ideal final mowing height for your lawn is around 2 inches. Meanwhile, potatoes with 'hollow heart' are safe to eat, but their storage life may be shortened. Let's delve into these tips and more.
Hollow heart affects the centers of potato tubers, creating internal gaps. This is a physiological issue, not a disease or insect infestation. To prevent it, maintain uniform soil moisture from mid-summer onwards and consider mulching. Rapid growth spurts in tubers, often triggered by heavy rainfall or irrigation following a dry spell, or fluctuating soil temperature, can cause this disorder. White and russet potato varieties are more prone to hollow heart than red types.
Protecting fruit tree trunks is crucial. Cardboard, burlap, or tree wrap can be used, with commercial orchards also opting for diluted white paint. This shields trees from winter sunscald and black rot fungal canker. Lowering lawn mowing height before winter can reduce winter snow mold and vole habitat, but should be done after repeated hard freezes.
If you spot hollow heart in your potatoes, don't worry. Simply remove the discolored parts, and they're safe to eat. However, their storage life may be shortened.
In summary, maintain a 2-inch final mowing height for your lawn. For potatoes, keep soil moisture uniform and consider mulching to prevent hollow heart. Protect fruit tree trunks to safeguard them from winter damage. These tips will help ensure a healthy and productive garden.
